Can opening apparatus



April 8, 1969 w. T. sAuNDERs CAN OPENING APPARATUS Filed May 9, 1967 HQE INVENTOR WILLIAM T. SAUNDERS ATTORNE Y April 8, H969 w. T. sAuNDERs CAN OPENING APPARATUS Sheet Filed May 9, 1967 7.. E Tru 04 9 BWM Q w En WILLIAM T. SAUNDERS BY Sku-.Luf @We ATTORNEY April 8, w69 w. T. sAuNDERs CAN OPENING APPARATUS .5 ors Sheet Filed May 9, 1967 INVENTOR WILLIAM T. SAUNDERS' ATTORNEY Unite States Patent O 3,436,991 CAN OPENING APPARATUS William T. Saunders, Weirton, W. Va., assignor to National Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 9, 1967, Ser. No. 637,265 Int. Cl. B671] 7/36 U.S. Cl. 81-3.32 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for opening cans having an opening lug positioned within a score line defining a tear strip in the can end closure. A can is placed in a loading station with the opening lug held in a gripping device, and the can supported and the can body gripped by means mounted on a carriage movable along an upstanding framework. The carriage is moved downwardly, tearing the tear strip from the can end, to a can-unloading station where the can body-gripping means are released and the can removed. The apparatus is of particular utility in vending ma-chines.

Background of the invention This invention pertains to opening apparatus for easyopening containers. In its more particular aspects, the invention relates to can opening apparatus adapted for installation in vending machines.

Vending machines dispensing beverages or other substances in cans made from tinplated steel or other material are usually equipped with can openers employing a puncturing member which pierces the can end, deflecting a portion of the can end downwardly to form an opening. This is objectionable because the puncturing member and the deected portion of the can end can contaminate the contents of the can. Various techniques, such as heating the piercing member, have been proposed to solve this problem but none has been satisfactory because, among other reasons, cleaning of the can opener cannot prevent contamination of the can contents by the deected portion of the can end.

Accordingly, a main object of the invention is the pro vision of improved can opening apparatus in which no part of the can opener or the can end enters the can when the can is opened.

Other objects of the invention, its features and advantages, will appear from the following detailed description which, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration only and not for definition of the limits of the invention. For determining the scope of the invention, reference will be made to the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one type of easy-opening can suitable for use with apparatus according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a left side elevational view of can opening apparatus forming a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a right side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a side view, partly in section, showing details of the apparatus of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of details of the apparatus of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the operation of the apparatus of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9--9 of FIGURE 7.

Description ofthe preferred embodiment In FIGURE 1, an easy-opening can generally indicated at 10 includes a can body 12 secured by a conventional chime seam 13 to an end closure 14. The tear strip 16 is defined by a continuous score line 18 in end closure 14. Opening lug 20, secured to tear strip 16, has a relatively large diameter head portion 22 and a relatively small diameter neck portion 24. Upward movement of lug tears strip 16 from can end 14 to provide a pouring opening.

In FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, an upstanding framework 26 is mounted on support 28 in a vending machine having walls 30 in which can opener access opening 32 is formed. Opposed prong members 34, 36 are lixed on framework 26 for gripping opening lug 20 on can 10. Prong member 34, 36 project from strip 38, defining a slot 39 which receives the neck portion 24 of lug 20. Strip 38 is carried by plate 40, which, with block 42, is fixed to the upper portion of framework 26 at can-loading station 43. Bracing members 44, 46 support strip 38 from above.

A carriage 48 is mounted for upward and downward movement on framework 26. The carriage includes apertures slideably receiving guide rods 50, 52 which are secured to the framework by upper and lower blocks 42, 54, respectively. An assembly 56 secured to carriage 48 is provided for gripping the body of can 10. As is best understood from FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, can body-gripping assembly 56 includes a pair of rigid gripping arms 58, 60 having opposed gripping surfaces 62, 64, respectively. The surfaces 62, 64 are shaped to conform to can 10. Arms 58, 60 respectively have end portions 66, 68 located adjacent carriage 48, and spaced-apart end portions 70, 72 located remotely from the carriage. The arms are carried by a support member 74 attached to carriage 48. Support member 76, also attached to carriage 48, secures the arms from above. Pivot pins 78, 80, secured in members 74 and 76, are received in apertures in arms 58, 60 so that the arms are mounted for horizontal, pivoting movement intermediate their end portions on the pivot pins. Guide pins 82, 84, secured in members 74 and 76, are respectively received in slots 86, 88 in the gripping arms so that the horizontal swinging movement of the arms is controlled within limits. Upwardly inclined guide extensions 89, 91 project from the gripping arms to facilitate insertion of can 10.

Spring biases end portions 66, 68 of arms 58, 60 away from one another so that end portions 70, 72 are biased toward one another to grip the body of can 10. As can be seen from FIGURES 5 and 9, recesses 92, 94 are provided on the lower edge portions of gripping surfaces 62 and 64, for receiving lower chime seam 96 on can 10 t0 strengthen the grip of the arms on the can.

An assembly 98, including a platform carried by base member 102, is provided for supporting can 10. Bracket member 104, secured to carriage 48, extends to an end portion 106 below base 102. Spring 1.08 biases base 102 away from end portion 106, acting through bushing 110.

A can-unloading station, generally indicated at 112 (see FIGURES 3, 4 and 8), is located at the lower portion of framework 26. When carriage 48 is moved downwardly into station 112, a pair of upstanding members 114, 116 release the grip of arms 58, 60 on can 10. Members 114, 116 have spaced-apart, opposed cam surfaces 118, 120, respectively, which progressively press end portions 66 and 68 of the arms toward one another as 3 the gripping assembly 56 is lowered into unloading station 112. Because of the pivotal mounting of the arms, end portions 70, 72 move away from one another and release can 10. Laterally projecting ears 119, 120 are provided on arms 58, 60 for engagement with cam surfaces 118, 120, respectively.

An elongated locking rod 122 (see FIGURES 2, 3 and 5) extending through the loading and unloading stations, is secured at its upper end to block 124, which is carried by plate 40. The lower end of rod 122 is attached to support 28. The can body-gripping assembly 56 and the can-supporting assembly 98 are apertured to slideably receive rod 122. Rod 122 includes recessed or lesser diameter portions 126, 128 at loading station 43 and unloading station 112, respectively (see FIGURES 6 and 8). The greater diameter portion of rod 122 extends between the recessed portions and locks the gripping arms by preventing end portions 66, 68 from moving toward one another when the arms are traveling to the unloading station, to secure can 10 in the gripping arms. Recessed portion 126 unlocks the gripping arms by permitting end portions 66, 68 to move toward one another against spring 90 by the forcing of can 10 between end portions 70, 72 at loading station 43. Recessed portion 128 unlocks the arms by permitting end portions 66, 68 to be pressed toward one another by members 114, 116 to release the can.

A longitudinally extending slot 130 (see FIGURES 4 and 5) formed in rod 122 has a transverse end wall 132 at the entry portion of loading station 43. A projecting guide member 134 on a screw 136 in base 102 is slideably received in slot 130. A latch 138 (see FIGURES 2 and 7) is pivotally mounted on a pin 140 in member 76 of gripping assembly 56, for latching assembly 56 to cansupporting assembly 98 for travel as a unit to unloading station 112. A shoulder 142 (see also FIGURES 6 and 8) is provided on member 144, which projects upwardly from base 102. Hook portion 146 of latch 138 engages shoulder 142 to latch assemblies 56, 98 together. Spring 147, secured to member 74, biases latch 138 for clockwise movement about pin 140. An unlatching member 148 depending from plate 40 disengages latch 138 upon upward return of carriage 48 to loading station 43 from a can opening cycle, by pivoting the latch counterclockwise about pin 140 against spring 147. The parts are positioned so that disengagement is completed when guide member 134 strikes end wall 132 of slot 130, the carriage 48 and gripping assembly 56 continuing to move upwardly though can-supporting assembly 98 has stopped. Spring 108 compresses to permit this action. Carriage 48 moves gripping assembly 56 to a location spaced above the can-supporting -assembly 98 at the loading station to facilitate loading of can 10 for the next cycle. When carriage 48 next moves downwardly, gripping assembly 56 is moved downwardly but supporting assembly 98 remains stationary because the compression in spring 108 biases base 102 away from end portion 106 of bracket 104. Since latch 138 is moving downwardly relative to unlatching member 148, spring 147 pivots the latch clockwise about pin 140 so that hook portion 146 engages shoulder 142 on base 102 to latch assemblies 56 and 98 together to provide a firm grip on the can 10. Holder plate 149, secured to member 76 of gripping assembly 56, has -a hooked portion 151 and moves downwardly with assembly 56, hooked portion 151 fitting over upper chime seam 13 of can 10 to further secure the can.

A mechanism for moving carriage 48 from loading station 43 to unloading station 112 and return includes a lever 150 (see FIGURES 2, 3 and 4). The lever is pivotally mounted at one end on a bolt 152 received in member 154, which projects rearwardly from framework 26. A bolt 156, secured in carriage 48, rides in a longitudinal slot 158 in lever 150. Handle 160 is provided at the front end of lever 150, projecting from the vending machine.

' Downward pressure on handle 160 exerts downward pressure on carriage 48 through bolt 156. The carriage moves downwardly on guide rods 50, 52 against the action of carriage return springs 162, 164, which are secured at their upper ends to framework 26 and to carriage 48 at their lower ends. The carriage return springs oppose the lever action, thereby controlling the lowering of carriage 48 and effecting a smooth carriage movement desirable to minimize spillage. Upon release of handle 160, springs 162, 164 draw carriage 48 upwardly, check 166 opposing the action of the springs to effect a controlled return of the carriage to loading station 43. Check 166 may be any suitable type of conventional design such as commonly used on screen doors and the like, and includes a cylinder 168 pivotally mounted at 170 on an upstanding bracket 172 secured -to member 154. Piston rod 174 of check 166 is pivotally secured to carriage 48 by a bolt 176. When carriage 48 is raised, piston rod 174 is forced into cylinder 168 at a relatively slow rate, exerting a restraining force on the action of the return springs.

In operation, a can 10 is inserted between the guide extensions 89, 91 of gripping arms 58, 60 to force end portions 70, 72 of the arms away from one another (see FIGURE 6). Neck portion 24 of lug 20 is slipped between prong members 34, 36 with the can tilted at a slight angle on platform because the prong members are inclined upwardly (see also FIGURE 2). Pressing the lower portion of can 10 toward the back of the can opener to stand the can vertically effects initial severing of the score line, and end portions 70, 72 of the gripping arms move together to grip the can. Handle is then pressed downwardly, carriage 48 carrying gripping assembly 56 and latch 138 downwardly. Hook portion 146 of latch 138 engages shoulder 142 on base 102 to latch cansupporting assembly 98 to gripping assembly 56, and the latched `assemblies move downwardly as a unit with the greater diameter portion of rod 122 locking the gripping arms in position. As carriage 48 is lowered to unloading station 112, strip 16 is torn from the can end closure (see FIGURE 3). At unloading station 112, members 114, 116press end portions 66, 68 of the gripping arms toward one another (see FIGURE 8) to release the can. The can is removed and handle 160 then released. Springs 162, 164 return the carriage to loading station 43.

Can opening apparatus according to the invention facilitate the use of easy-opening cans in vending machines. Since no part of the can opener or the can end enters the can when the can is opened, the problems of contents contamination and can opener sanitation are overcome. The apparatus is further advantageous in the inclusion of features assuring that the can is securely gripped and locked, and effecting controlled movement of the gripping assembly to minimize spillage of the can contents. The apparatus is highly exible in being operable to open a wide variety of easy-opening containers, including those having a pull tab secured to an opening lug or rivet as well as containers which are tab-free fas is the case in the illustrated embodiment.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, modifications of the embodiment illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for opening a can having a body and an easy-opening closure including an opening lug, the apparatus comprising an elongated upstanding framework having an upper portion and a lower portion,

lug-gripping means associated with the upper portion of the framework at a can-loading station for gripping the opening lug on a can to be opened,

a carriage mounted on the framework for upward and downward movement,

can body-gripping means mounted on the carriage for gripping the body of the can,

can-supporting means associated with the carriage for supporting the can,

releasing means located at the lower portion of the framework at =a can-unloading station for releasing the can body-gripping means, and

motive means for moving the carriage between the can-loading station and the can-unloading station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the can body-gripping means including a pair of rigid gripping arms having opposed gripping surfaces, first end portions located .adjacent the movable carriage and spaced-apart second end portions located remotely from the movable carriage, the gripping arms being carried by a support member associated with the movable carriage,

the gripping arms being pivotally mounted between their end portions on the support member for gripping and releasing the can body, and

biasing means for biasing the first end portions of the gripping arms away from one another to bias the second end portions of the gripping arms toward one another to grip the can body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the releasing means including cam surface means for progressively pressing the first end portions of the gripping arms toward one another with movement of the carriage into the uxL loading station.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the configuration of the gripping arms defines recesses in the opposed gripping surfaces for receiving a chime seam on the can.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, including elongated locking rod means associated with the framework and extending between the loading and unloading stations for locking the gripping arms in a can gripping position,

the configuration of the locking rod means defining recesses at the loading and unloading stations for unlocking the gripping arms.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the loading station includes an entry portion,

the configuration of the locking rod means defines a longitudinally extending slot,

the locking rod means includes a transverse wall in the slot at the entry portion of the loading station,

the can-supporting means includes a bracket member associated with the movable carriage and extending to an end portion slideably receiving the locking rod means,

a base member disposed above the end portion of the bracket member and slideably receiving the locking rod means, the base member also having a guide member slideably received in the slot in the locking rod means,

spring means for biasing the ibase member away from the end portion of the bracket member, and

a platform associated with the base member for receiving the can,

the motive means including means for moving the can body-gripping means to a location spaced above the can-supporting means in the loading station,

latching means associated with the can body-gripping means for latching the can body-gripping means to the can-supporting means upon downward movement of the can body-gripping means to a location adjacent the can-supporting means at the entry portion of the loading station,

and means associated with the upper portion of the `framework for disengaging the latching means with engagement of the guide member with the transverse wall in the slot in the locking rod means upon upward movement of the carriage to the entry portion of the loading station.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the lug-gripping means including a pair of opposed prong members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,596,476 5/1952 Forstrom 30-10 3,263,326 8/1966 Walter 30-10 3,289,289 12/1966 Van Nooten 81-3.46

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner.

' R. V. PARKER, IR., Assistant Examiner. 

